The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1887-06-29
VALLANDIGHAM.
How He Was Received Into the COnfed-
crate Lines.

How He Was Received Into the Confed.
crate Lines.
One day in May, 1868, as Private s. F.
Nunnelee, of the Fifty-f Alabama Regi-
ment, was on picket about five miles from
Murfreesboro, Tenn, q Federal officer, en-
tlrely unattended and carrying a flag of
truce, rode up and inquired for the officer
in command, and through him for the
Colonel Of the regiment. Colonel J. ID
Webb was on the line. a couple of miles to
the rear, and Private Nunnelee was sent to
inform him that the Federals we're de-
sirous of passing the noted Clement L.
Vallandigham within the Confederate
lines, as per order of the Secretary of
War. This move had been antici-
patec, as Vallandigham's sentence had
been promulgated, but the Confederate
Government had DO desire to accept him.
Had ne come as recruit for the ranks he
would have been welcome, but as a ban
ished politician he was a guest whom no
one cared to entertain. Colonel Webb
took his time abont riding to the front,
and as he got there Nunneiee was sent
down the highway to investigate second
white flag This was waving above a We
hicle drawn by one horse and occupied by
Federal Lieutenant and Vallsndigham.
The officer was driving, and the banished
politician was sitting very stiff and erect.
but lew WORDS passed as the O11cer drew
rein. He said to Nunnelee:
"Here is Vallandigham, sentenced to
banishmeut.n
And to the great politician he said:
Come, have no time to spare"
~ protest against this enthusiastically
protest" answered Vallandigham.
Yes, but hurry up. I'll take your trUak
off, Jump down, n0w-g0od day."
And the officer sprang into the vehicles
turned the horse around, and went OF at a
fast trot, leaving Vallandigham and the
Confederate soldier together on the high
way Previous to the war Mr.. Nunnelee
was editor of paper at Eutaw, and VAL
landighsm was one of its readers. As they
stood there the private soldier introduced
himself, and the politician gave him q
hearty shake of the hand and asked
"Wbst on earth are you doing here"
I'm the ranks
"And are such men as you lighting in the
ranks of the Confederate armY?"
Thousands of u.s."
''Tben that settles 1.-THE North can
never conquer you"
After some further talk the soldier car
ried the politicians trunk into deserted
negro cabin quarter of mile away, and
then went for his Colonel. Webb came
slowly up, and as he dismounted at the hat
the banished Northerner said:
"C00Del WeOO, am element IL, VII
laDdighAm, citizen of Ohio and of the
United States, imprisoned, villified AMI
banished from my country for my love OF
liberty and free speech"
The Colonel stiffiy answered:
"Mr. Vallandigham, as q citizen of Ohio
and the United States, you are my enemy.
AS one bsnished for his love of liberty, for
which the South is fighting to-day, bid
you welcome to the Southern Confederacy."
They then entered into general CONVEX
saiion lasting about half an hour, at the
end of which time Private Nunnelee Sc
cured conveyance, and Vallandlgham
| and his baggage were received inside the
Confederate lines. The incident made
quite stir at the picket post, and coald
the men have had their way they would
have headed the man for the Federal lines
and obliged him to return, as they counted
far more on muskets than speeches to via
their cause.
Mr.. Nunnelee is now and hes for many
years past been the editor OF the Tuscaloosa
| Gazette, and the incident of this narrative,
never before published, were taken from
} his own lips.